sutent

Look into getting your mother treated at NIH (the National Institutes of Health) in Bethesda MD (close to DC). NIH is FREE-our tax payer dollars pay for it all. As a matter of fact, they don't even ask you about your insurance.

 However, you need to know that not everyone can be treated there-you have to have a condition they are studying and also you have to do a clinical trail. My husband went there for brain cancer. We were very impressed with everything about NIH. He was treated with sutent there-the only reason we left is because his treatments we not working and they thought he'd be better off going back on a more traditional treatment.

If you live over 60 miles away they will cover the travel costs for the patient and there is free housing on their campus for family members.

The National Cancer Institute is part of NIH.

Check them out:http://www.nih.gov/

 Good luck!

On 6/12/2009 momas boy wrote:

my mother has just diganiosed yesterday with sarcomatiod carcinoma in kidnay- her prescription is for sutent 50 mg -- we have to find help- her cost after insurance and medicare id $10,000 for 28 pills-- does anyone know of any programs to help with cost-- my patents do not have that kind of money--

Hello:

I believe Pfiser (the maker of Sutent) has a program for low income individuals to help cover the cost of the drug.

The address is:

First Resource

PO Box 339

San Bruno, California 94066-0339

Phone:  1-877-744-5675  Fax: 1-800-708-3430

If they are still running the program, they will send you an application for your mother to fill out to see if she qualifies.

Another option is to find a clinical trial with Sutent. There are two places that I know of, MD Anderson in Texas, and Sloan Kettering in New York City that I believe, are running trials with Sutent in non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Since your mother has sarcamoid type, she might qualify, you need to ask the trial docs. Advantage with the clinical trial is most likely you will get the drug for free, but need to cover the scans, tests, etc. with insurance.

Good luck and God bless

Krys 

On 6/12/2009 momas boy wrote:

my mother has just diganiosed yesterday with sarcomatiod carcinoma in kidnay- her prescription is for sutent 50 mg -- we have to find help- her cost after insurance and medicare id $10,000 for 28 pills-- does anyone know of any programs to help with cost-- my patents do not have that kind of money--

Pfizer is still running a program to help low income people with the cost of the drug. I have been getting the drug for free since I started therapy over a year ago. The message giving you info on First Resourse is correct, including the Phone# 1-877-744-5675. They are very helpful. They will send you an application. There is a part for your doctor to fill out, proof of income is required, and you must write a short letter explaining your need for help. They will tell you how to word the letter. I had my doctor Fax the info, after he completed his part. They only consider income and not resourses, so your house, savings and stocks do not come into play except for their yearly earnings. It only took a matter of days to complete this matter. It was very easy. They actually call you to send the refills.

My worst side effects are diarhea, nausea, heartburn, and foot pain. The first 3 side effects only appear during the 3rd and 4th week of the cycle and go away as soon as I start my 2 week break. I control them with medication. The foot pain is constant. I use inserts in my shoes and take Ibuprophen, which helps alot. I also do not take the full dose of 50mg. I seem to do well on 37.5mg. I have heard of people taking 25mg, but that is something your morther and her doctor should decide. Less mg less side effects, I would guess, but the higher the dose the more effective the drug, I would guess. Side effects are different for everyone, but mine are very prdictable with each cycle.

Good luck to your mom.

Richard